The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.
The Early Brown and Early Black Willowflies of this family are some of the first relevant insects of the very early season. The egg-laying adults produce good dry fly fishing on lucky days when the river warms enough for the trout to rise. On cooler days their nymphs produce well.
Where & when
In 334 records from GBIF, adults of this family have mostly been collected during March (36%), February (25%), January (18%), and April (13%).
In 38 records from GBIF, this family has been collected at elevations ranging from 20 to 11430 ft, with an average (median) of 2346 ft.
Several stoneflies of this species were the first adult insects I found in 2004 when I started this site. The hatch was sparse but lasted a good part of the day, and I noted a few good rises despite the early season cold. They ended up struggling on the water's surface fairly often.
Several stoneflies of this species were the first adult insects I found in 2004 when I started this site. The hatch was sparse but lasted a good part of the day, and I noted a few good rises despite the early season cold. They ended up struggling on the water's surface fairly often.
This specimen was the only one of its kind in my kick net sample from this small creek. At first I thought it was Nemouridae, but it's not. Unfortunately, there is no species key available for Taenionema nymphs. Potential species found in Washington include nigripenne, oregonense, pacificum, and pallidum.
I found this nymph wriggling in the surface film during a hatch of related Strophopteryx adults. This nymph died in transport so it's not alive in the photos, but it's pretty close to its live colors.
3 Underwater Pictures of Taeniopterygidae Stoneflies: